THE City of Melville will investigate rezoning three small residential areas to increase density after being approached by a number of affected homeowners.
Councillors voted 7-3 to support advertising the residential upcodings in Mt Pleasant and Melville for public comment.
If adopted, the amendment could yield close to 90 new dwellings across the three affected areas through subdivision of existing plots.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe proposed zoning changes would not facilitate the construction of apartment blocks.
Councillors Guy Wieland and Nicholas Pazolli argued strongly against rezoning.
Cr Wieland said Melville’s local planning scheme already included provision for high-density nodes and corridors along main thoroughfares and large swathes of the City were already overrun by battleaxe subdivisions.
Cr Pazolli said it was important to preserve a diverse range of housing options and that endorsing progressively smaller plots would not appeal to young families.
Those speaking in favour of rezoning, including councillors Cameron Schuster and Lisa O’Malley, said subdivision improved housing affordability and allowed first time homebuyers an opportunity to purchase closer to the City.
Cr Tim Barling said the rezoning requests had come from the affected residents themselves and that the changes were relatively minor.
The proposed scheme amendment will now be advertised for public comment for a minimum of six weeks.